It’s no secret Individuals love their french fries. Estimates counsel that the typical American eats practically 30 kilos of fries annually.
With regards to having fun with a facet of fries (or a full plate, let’s be actual) at a restaurant or at dwelling, ketchup tends to be the default dipping sauce for many. However whereas the candy tomato condiment has its deserves, you don’t must restrict your self.
We requested culinary specialists to share their favourite non-ketchup dipping sauces for french fries. Maintain scrolling for some thrilling choices, in addition to particular model and recipe suggestions.
Garlic Aioli
“I love using a black garlic aioli for dipping fries,” mentioned Brian Landry, chef and proprietor of Jack Rose and Bayou Bar in New Orleans and Marsh Home and L.A. Jackson in Nashville. “The garlicky taste and creaminess is the perfect balance to the saltiness and crispiness of the fries. Plus, it’s super easy to make.”
Though you may make your personal garlic aioli, there are additionally loads of strong store-bought choices for lazy days. Lola Osinkolu, a house cook dinner and blogger at Chef Lola’s Kitchen, enjoys Kraft Mayo Garlic Aioli.
“Garlic aioli dipping sauce is my preferred choice when I’m craving something savory,” she mentioned. “It’s made from mayonnaise, garlic and lemon juice, so it’s very light and refreshing ― it goes very well with just about anything.”
Comeback Sauce
“When we get into the Thousand Island neck of the woods, there are so many recipes out there for what in the South is called ‘Comeback Sauce,’” mentioned cookbook writer Brian Theis. “It’s usually some combination of mayo and ketchup with chili sauce, onion, Worcestershire, Creole mustard, an acid like lemon juice and maybe hot sauce and/or horseradish thrown in. It can have a heck of a lot of ingredients.”
Comeback sauce has roots in Mississippi delicacies and supposedly bought its identify from the southern apply of claiming farewell, with some variation of “Y’all come back now!”
“Further to Thousand Island or Comeback Sauce for dipping your fries, a Louisiana rémoulade sauce (usually served with shrimp) is quite satisfying as well,” Theis added.
Mayonnaise
“I will never grow tired of french fries with mayonnaise,” mentioned Meggan Hill, govt chef for the recipe website Culinary Hill. “I prefer mayonnaise to ketchup because it’s not sweet, and I simply love the combination of salty fries and fatty mayo.”
Hill’s most well-liked manufacturers are Hellman’s and Duke’s, although she additionally recommends making your personal mayo in case you’re up for the problem. Mayo sauces are additionally a favourite of Theis, who lived within the Netherlands as a toddler.
“In Holland it is called ‘fritessaus’ (fries sauce) and is sweeter and usually has less fat than an American mayo. Now if we’re talking about the best store-bought U.S. mayo to dip your fries in, that brand of course is New Orleans’ own Blue Plate! Blue Plate is also sweeter than Hellman’s.”
Spicy Cheddar Mornay
“I really like a spicy cheddar mornay for fries,” Landry mentioned. “It’s a really elevated version of cheese fries. I use a shredded cayenne cheddar that you can buy, or you can substitute for pepper jack cheese. It’s a bit more involved to make since you have to make a quick roux first, but it’s worth it!”
Mornay is a traditional French sauce made with béchamel and cheese that by the way additionally makes for an important macaroni and cheese.
Landry shared his recipe for cayenne cheddar mornay, which includes melting 4 ounces of butter over medium warmth, including 4 ounces of flour and whisking to make a roux.
When you’ve cooked your roux for 5 minutes, whisk in a quart of milk, including half a cup at a time and permitting it to thicken between pours. After including all of the milk, progressively add a quart of shredded cayenne cheddar or pepper jack cheese till absolutely integrated. Then take away from warmth and season with salt.
You too can take pleasure in a spicy cheese dipping sauce with out having to cook dinner it your self.
“My favorite dipping sauce with my french fries is a creamy and smooth cheese sauce like Tostitos Salsa Con Queso,” mentioned Carla Bushey of the meals weblog Adventures of a Nurse. “I love the cheesy flavor with a bit of spice which takes my fries from ordinary to extraordinary.”
Chipotle Aioli
“I recommend making your own aioli because it’s very simple to make and so versatile when it comes to flavor,” famous Sharee Hill, the meals blogger behind Savory Spicerack. “One of my favorite flavors to include when making aioli is chipotle.”
Craig Carey, founding father of Massive Buns Rattling Good Burgers in Northern Virginia and Florida, can also be a fan of this zesty mixture.
“Our fries are served with our house chipotle aioli,” he defined. “A cravable, perfect smokey flavor is the result of Duke’s Mayo, adobo chipotle peppers, fresh pesto, oil, salt and fat. When we opened, so many people were asking for it, we started including it with the fries standard.”
Truffle Mayo
We would not have the finances or time to repeatedly put together contemporary restaurant-style truffle fries at dwelling. However there are different methods to seize the flavour expertise.
“I am all about jazzing up dipping sauces for french fries other than ketchup,” mentioned Alex Hill, a house cook dinner and creator of Simply Add Scorching Sauce. “I am a major fan of dipping fries in mayo, and Truff has a great truffle-infused mayo that goes amazing with french fries.”
Naomi Rahim through Getty Photos
Honey Mustard
“If you’re sweet-toothed, I recommend honey mustard dipping sauce because it’s light and flavorful with a hint of sweetness, but not too sweet like ketchup can sometimes be,” Osinkolu mentioned. “The sweet and tangy flavor cuts through the saltiness of the fries, and you will also get the added kick from the mustard seeds.”
Her favourite model for dipping is Ken’s Steak Home Honey Mustard Dressing.
“It has a great balance between honey and mustard flavors, but it’s also pretty easy to make at home if you have all the ingredients,” she added.
Chimichurri
“One of my favorite dipping sauces is a chimichurri style that my family loves,” mentioned chef Marshall O’Brien. “It is made of olive oil, parsley, green onions, garlic, white vinegar, salt and pepper.”
Along with utilizing it as a tasty dip for fries, O’Brien additionally recommends including this easy-to-make chimichurri sauce to eggs, fish, pizza and beef.
Kimchi Mayo
“Ketchup with fries is good, but I prefer dipping my fries in a creamy, mayo-based sauce that has some heat,” mentioned Dzung Lewis, a YouTuber and writer of “The Honeysuckle Cookbook.”
Whereas Sriracha aiolis have gotten extra broadly out there at specialty shops, Lewis mentioned she’s additionally likes dipping fries in a kimchi mayo she not too long ago discovered.
“It’s great on sandwiches too!” she added. “The creamy sauce balances out the spiciness and when enjoyed with fresh and hot fries, it’s out of this world!”
Ranch
“Ranch dressing is another obvious, yet delicious, choice for french fries,” Meggan Hill mentioned. “However, I dislike the strong artificial, cheesy taste of most store-bought shelf-stable varieties. The only brands worth their salt are typically refrigerated in the produce section that taste like they are made with fresh herbs.”
Banana Ketchup
Yanna Slavutsky, company chef at Blue Canine Cookhouse and Bar in Boca Raton, Florida, is a fan of selfmade banana ketchup. Invented by Filipina meals technologist and warfare heroine Maria Orosa, this condiment is made with banana, sugar, vinegar and spices.
“Banana ketchup creates a chemical reaction with the heat of the fry and really brings out the mild creamy flavor of the fry,” Slavutsky mentioned. “The sweetness compliments the saltiness of the fry as you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the outcome of the flavor generated in your taste buds. This alternative is a unique twist and so much better than regular ketchup.”
Chipotle Mayo
As we’ve seen with truffle mayo and kimchi mayo, there are various methods to reinforce a traditional mayo with a punch of taste.
“Chipotle mayo is great for a smokey tangy taste,” Alex Hill mentioned. “They sell an over-the-counter version or if you want to make your own chipotle mayo just grab some Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and add the sauce to a mayo of your choice ― mine is Duke’s Mayo.”

Andy Cross through Getty Photos
Chili Sauce
Over time, the standard french fries and ketchup combo grew to become boring to recipe developer Marci Buttars of the meals weblog Tidbits. She did, nevertheless, ultimately develop a love for candy potato fries.
“The best ever dip for sweet potato fries is a mix of my favorite Date Lady Sweet Chili Sauce and some mayo or yogurt,” she instructed HuffPost. “If I want a bit more of a Thai spin, I’ll swirl in some peanut butter too. Amazing!”
Dijon Mustard
“If you’re doing French, there’s no substitute for a toe-curling hot Dijon with your steak frites,” Theis mentioned. “Ideal with the steak itself, the zesty mustard is also terrific with your ‘French’ fries.”
O’Brien likes to zhuzh up his Dijon dipping sauce for one thing a bit of extra particular, although equally easy.
“We love the mayo-Dijon mustard combo,” he mentioned. “Taking equal parts mayo and dijon, wonderful.”